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Developers and residents clash at lengthy solar hearing over setbacks, acreage and revenue
Summary
Dozens of residents and company representatives spoke at a public hearing that exposed a sharp split: developers sought smaller‑project exceptions and lower setbacks to allow 3–5 MW projects; many residents urged keeping the stricter 2024 ordinance to protect rural character.
The public hearing on proposed solar ordinance changes produced pointed exchanges between developer representatives who defended small, screened projects and residents who said large projects would harm the county’s rural character.
Paul Cousins of CEP Solar said his Sunnyside Solar project is a small, roughly 3‑megawatt installation near Crewe that ‘‘could be under construction by the end of 2026 and operating in 2027’’ if permitted; he and other presenters argued the draft setbacks and acreage assumptions would effectively rule out such projects unless the board allows case‑by‑case exceptions. Esther Rekelman of Hexagon Energy described a 3‑MW project she said is 19 acres inside a 121‑acre parcel and recommended tailored setback language for projects of 5 MW or less.
Resident speakers made competing arguments: some stressed property rights and the prospect of tax revenue to fund courthouse and emergency services projects; others warned that looser limits and reduced setbacks would change the county’s rural landscape and urged the board to maintain the stricter 2024 ordinance. Multiple speakers urged the board to preserve flexibility by permitting smaller projects under less onerous setbacks while retaining a path for supervisors to increase protections where site conditions warrant.
